GERMANY #COVID19 BRIEFING THREAD:
The first case was confirmed in Germany on 27/1. The first death occurred on 9/3.
With a population of almost 83m, as of 29/4 Germany has 157,641 confirmed cases and 6,115 deaths.
The first case was confirmed in Germany on 27/1. The first death occurred on 9/3.
With a population of almost 83m, as of 29/4 Germany has 157,641 confirmed cases and 6,115 deaths.
It should be noted that while Germany has a National Pandemic Plan at federal level, many of the responsibilities for implementation of its elements are at regional level. It's therefore a complex picture both in terms of lockdown and treatment approach.
rki.de/DE/Content/Inf…
rki.de/DE/Content/Inf…
Broadly speaking Germany went on lockdown between 13 and 22/3, with schools and large gatherings as well as visits to nursing homes being prohibited first, border closures a few days later and eventually a national curfew on the 22/3.
The discrepancy between number of cases and deaths in Germany has been the subject of debate. While there is some truth to the fact that Germany tested much more early on - therefore captured more asymptomatic cases - and has a high number of ICU beds, it's not the whole story.
Some attribute German success, in part, to choosing a strategy and sticking with it, scaling up as they went.
While Germany broadened to testing those with mild symptoms, Britain narrowed to only testing hospital admissions. It created what is known as "the iceberg problem".
While Germany broadened to testing those with mild symptoms, Britain narrowed to only testing hospital admissions. It created what is known as "the iceberg problem".
There is, further, a respectable and increasingly supported by evidence school of thinking, that considers Germany's earlier but less invasive oxygen treatment interventions, to also have been a significant factor. Others ended up "overusing" ventilation.
statnews.com/2020/04/08/doc…
statnews.com/2020/04/08/doc…
The cumulative effect meant that Germany had so overestimated the capacity it would need, by late March it was in a position to offer ICU beds to neighbouring countries.
independent.co.uk/news/world/eur…
independent.co.uk/news/world/eur…
Germany has similarly been at the European vanguard of easing lockdown. The rate of spread, however, has rebounded to around 1. If it goes any higher (meaning the number of cases is growing again), Germany may have to go back a step, reimposing lockdown.
thetimes.co.uk/article/german…
thetimes.co.uk/article/german…
This is not unexpected or avoidable. Commenting on it, Greek CMO Sotiris Tsiodras said: "It's like driving down an unfamiliar, dangerous mountain pass. We can't change the path, but we can our speed. We can accelerate if the going is good and brake hard on any dangerous turns."
The pretty plaudits for Merkel's handling of the crisis, have precipitated a huge poll bounce for her ruling Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands party.
It has silenced many commentators who were calling for her to go early, as recently as February.
It has silenced many commentators who were calling for her to go early, as recently as February.
Please feel free to add to this thread, with useful links and resources (especially in english) for people who wish to stay in touch with updates from Germany and suggest good German journalists on twitter.
This is the official portal in English ~AA
bundesregierung.de/breg-en/search…
This is the official portal in English ~AA
bundesregierung.de/breg-en/search…
